Overview

• The FIFA Congress in Asunción began three hours late due to Gianni Infantino’s delayed arrival from a diplomatic tour of the Middle East and Nigeria.
• Infantino’s absence disrupted the agenda, prompting frustration among delegates from FIFA’s 211 member associations at the Bourbon Asunción Convention Centre.
• A FIFA Council session, initially planned for in-person deliberation, was rescheduled and held online to accommodate Infantino’s travel itinerary.
• Infantino’s recent engagements with U.S. President Donald Trump and Middle Eastern leaders have drawn criticism for prioritizing external alliances over FIFA’s internal governance processes.
• The unresolved debate on Uruguay’s proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams remains a significant issue for the congress.